Hair extension and method

ABSTRACT

A hair extension and, more particularly, to a hair extension and method to protect a wearers existing hair from tension damage. The hair extension includes at least one weft and a flexible comb attached along a lateral length of the weft.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. provisionalapplication No. 62/016,397, filed Jun. 24, 2014, the contents of whichare herein incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to hair extensions and, more particularly,to a hair extension and method to protect a wearers existing hair fromtension damage. Women spend countless hours & money at hair salonsgetting hair weaves & hair extensions installed that require ongoingmaintenance. Hair weaves and metal clips (extensions) can cause tractionalopecia which is caused by too much tension/stress on the hair. Theaverage weave cannot be properly cleaned or dried once it is sewn on theclients head. As a result, since the average weave wearer keeps theweave permanently attached for a time span of 2-3 months, the hairunderneath the weave may become mildewed and very itchy. This can leadto embarrassing moments, especially when an uncontrollable itchingsensation occurs while in public or the mildew becomes malodorous.

Hair extensions clips on the other hand, can cause hair thinning andhair breakage from harsh bonding agents and extension removers.Similarly, the current metal clip extensions that exist on the markettoday are cumbersome to attach and are not secure enough for the averagewoman to feel confident in knowing that her hair will stay in placethroughout the day. The current metal clip in extensions on the markettoday do not slide over braided hair (weaved hair) and cannot be worn inreplacing a hair weave.

Tension metal comb clips (clip in extensions) are narrow. Clip onextensions have 1″-2″ tiny metal comb clips that are spaced 3″-5″ aparton a machine weft and do not fully secure the hair extension in thesense that the weft between the comb clips are not supported withattachments. This leaves the consumer feeling self-conscious about herhair. Moreover, due to their function, and small comb teeth, tensionmetal comb clips (clip in extensions) do not secure over braided hair(weaved hair).

As can be seen, there is a need for a hair extension and method thatattaches easily and provides security along the entire width of the hairweft, not just at selected attachment points.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a hair extension is provided inwhich the extension has a plurality of hair strands joined in a weft,where the weft has a lateral length of between about 5″ to 11″, anelongate flexible comb is attached to and extends across the laterallength of the weft, the comb having a plurality of resilient teeth,wherein said teeth are resilient with respect to adjacent teeth.

In another aspect of the present invention, a ribbon is operativelyconnected between the weft and the comb, wherein at least one weft isattached to the ribbon.

In another aspect of the invention, the ribbon provides a barrierbetween the hair strands and the resilient teeth.

In yet another aspect of the present invention, the teeth furthercomprise a first and a second resilient member, aligned in spaced apartrelation along a longitudinal length of the teeth, and the first andsecond resilient members converge towards each other at a distal end ofthe teeth to define a tapered rounded tip.

The hair extension of claim 4, wherein said teeth are aligned relativeto one another such that the second resilient member of a leading toothis positioned in resilient abutment with the first resilient member of asubsequent tooth in the comb.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with reference to the followingdrawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention shown in use.

FIG. 2: Is an expanded view demonstrating the invention applied to awearer.

FIG. 3: Is a rear perspective detail view of the invention.

FIG. 4: Is a front perspective detail view of the invention.

FIG. 5: Is a section detail view of the invention along line 5-5 in FIG.4.

FIG. 6, is an expanded view demonstrating the invention applied to awearer

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplatedmodes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. Thedescription is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merelyfor the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention,since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides anextension/weave method that the average woman can attach at home in aslittle as 5 minutes, saving her time and money and requires little ifany maintenance. The hair extension assembly 10 slips on to the hairjust as a regular hair comb would when grooming and the extension 10does not exert any tension from fasteners that can cause hair breakage.Because the hair extension assembly 10 and method is intended to betemporary, it removes easily at the end of the day so that the user canshampoo and care for her hair on a daily basis. A hair extension methodas contemplated herein, is as simple to attach as slipping a comb onyour hair and is just as secure as a permanent hair attachment. Becauseof the depth of the comb, the hair extension assembly 10 can replace ahair weave and easily fits securely over braided hair, such as weavedhair.

As best seen in reference to FIG. 1, the hair extension assembly 10 hasat least one weft 16 and an elongate flexible comb 12 attached acrossthe lateral width of the weft. As may be seen in reference to FIG. 1, ahair extension assembly 10 and weft 16 is depicted showing the stitchedinterconnection of a plurality of individual hair strands. Individualhair strands may be either naturally grown hair or may be made ofsynthetic materials to substitute for the look and feel of natural hair.The hair strands are sewn together via a thread 18 so that the strandsare retained and aligned to give the appearance of a portion of anatural head of hair. In a preferred embodiment contemplated by theinvention, the weft 16 has a lateral length of between about 5″ to 11″,and is selected based on the width and length of the desired hairextension and the size of the wearer's head.

As best seen in reference to FIG. 3, the elongate flexible comb 12comprises a plurality of resiliently aligned teeth 21. In a preferredembodiment, teeth 21 will each comprise a first 22 and a second 23resilient member, aligned in spaced apart relation along a longitudinallength of the tooth and then converging towards each other to terminateat a tapered rounded tip 24 at a distal end thereof. First and secondresilient members 22, 23 provide the comb 12 compressibly resilientteeth 21. Preferably, the first and second resilient members 22, 23, andtapered rounded tip 24, have a smooth, rounded surface so as to avoiddamaging the wearer's hair when the comb 12 is inserted, removed, andworn by the user.

In a preferred embodiment, teeth 21 are aligned relative to one anothersuch that the first resilient member 22 of a trailing tooth 21 ispositioned in resilient abutment with a second resilient member 23 of aprevious tooth in the comb 12. Similarly, a second resilient member 23of a leading tooth 21 is positioned in resilient abutment with a firstresilient member of a subsequent tooth 21. Most preferably, theforegoing spaced relation is repeated along the lateral length of thecomb 12.

The adjacent first 22 and second 23 resilient members are positioned inresilient abutment via a plurality of spring elements 26 defined at aproximal end of the comb 12. Spring elements 26 are substantially ovalin shape and defined by a loop between adjacent teeth 21. By thearrangement of the first and second resilient members, each tooth 21 iscompressibly resilient with respect to itself, and via the springelement 26, between adjacent teeth 21 in the comb 12 as well as alsoalong the longitudinal length of the comb 12. This combination ofmulti-axis flexibility permits the hair extension assembly 10 to readilyconform to the shape of the wearer's head and to be easily attached tothe wearer's existing hair.

As best seen in reference to FIGS. 3 through 6, the comb 12 is attachedto the weft 16 along the lateral width of the weft 16, proximate to atop end 12 of the weft 16. Preferably, each spring element 26 isattached to the weft 16. In a preferred embodiment, spring elements 26are secured to the weft 16 such as via a stitch 20 of thread, band,clamp, or similar means. Alternatively, the loops may be secured to theweft 16 via a bonding agent. With the point attachment of the comb 12 atthe spring elements 26, the comb 12 is able to open away from the innersurface of the weft 16, and optional ribbon 14, described below, topermit better engagement of the comb 12 with the wearer's hair.

As also seen in reference to FIGS. 3 through 6, the hair extensionassembly 10 may also include a ribbon 14 operatively attached betweenthe weft 16 and the comb 12. The ribbon 14 provides an attachment forand lateral spacing between an additional one or more wefts 10 in orderto provide fullness and layering for the hair extension assembly 10. Theribbon 14 also provides additional lateral stability to the weft 16 aswell as providing a partial barrier between the upper ends of the hairstrands 11 and the comb 12 teeth 21. As shown, a preferred verticaldimension of the ribbon 14 extends from between the spring elements 26to point at least where first 22 and second 23 resilient members beginto converge on one another to form the rounded tip 24. This preferredplacement prevents the hair strands 11 from becoming entangled with andimpingement between adjacent teeth 21.

Having described the hair extension assembly 10, a preferred method ofuse will be described. When used as a hair extension for adding lengthand volume, the user's hair is sectioned, or parted, horizontally orvertically. The comb's teeth 21 are inserted onto the user's existinghair at the base of the scalp area, directly beneath the parting of thehair. All comb teeth 21 are inserted onto the user's hair in the samedirection as the hair below the parted section. This step is repeatedthroughout the head in the areas where more hair is needed or desired.

When utilized as a hair weave, the user would braid her own hair andgradually layer the hair extension assembly 10 over her braids byinserting the comb 12 directly onto her braids where the comb 12 is inattachment behind the braided hair closer to the scalp. This is used foradding length and volume.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates toexemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may bemade without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A hair extension comprising: a plurality of hairstrands joined in a weft, wherein said weft has a lateral length ofbetween about 5″ to 11″; and an elongate flexible comb attached to andextending across the lateral length of said weft, said comb having aplurality of resilient teeth, wherein said teeth are resilient withrespect to adjacent teeth.
 2. The hair extension of claim 1 furthercomprising: a ribbon operatively connected between said weft and saidcomb, wherein at least one weft is attached to said ribbon.
 3. The hairextension of claim 2, wherein said ribbon provides a barrier between thehair strands and the resilient teeth.
 4. The hair extension of claim 1,wherein said teeth further comprise: a first and a second resilientmember, aligned in spaced apart relation along a longitudinal length ofthe teeth, said first and second resilient member converging towardseach other at a distal end of said teeth to define a tapered roundedtip.
 5. The hair extension of claim 4, wherein said teeth are alignedrelative to one another such that the second resilient member of aleading tooth is positioned in resilient abutment with the firstresilient member of a subsequent tooth in the comb.
 6. A hair extensioncomprising: a plurality of hair strands joined in a weft; an elongateflexible comb attached to and extending across a lateral length of saidweft; and a ribbon operatively attached between said comb and said weftand extending across the lateral length of said weft.
 7. The hairextension of claim 6, wherein said comb has a plurality of compressiblyresilient teeth
 8. The hair extension of claim 7, wherein said teeth ,wherein said resilient teeth comprise a first and a second resilientmember, aligned in spaced apart relation along a longitudinal length ofthe teeth, said first and second resilient member converging towardseach other at a distal end of said teeth to define a tapered rounded tipare aligned relative to one another such that the second resilientmember of a leading tooth is positioned in resilient abutment with thefirst resilient member of a subsequent tooth in the comb.
 9. The hairextension of claim 7, wherein the comb defines spring element at aproximal end of said tooth, wherein the spring element providesmulti-axis flexibility to the comb.
 10. A method of using a hairextension comprising: providing a hair extension comprising: a pluralityof hair strands joined in a weft; an elongate flexible comb attached toand extending across a lateral length of said weft; said comb having aplurality of compressibly resilient teeth, wherein said comb and teethextend along a lateral length of said comb; and removably attaching saidhair extension to a user's head by inserting said comb such that saidteeth compressibly engage a plurality of hairs on the user's head.